The Irish standard., 1887-08-20
} receive attentions or not, just as /

to receive attentions or not, just as
choose
Quite right, my dear the old lady
replied. But you say there is no
cause, as far as you are concerned, for
whatever has got into Georges mind,
and I was only trying whether there
was anything which might have misled
him, in order that I might be able to
disabuse him of his error.
of the incident at the Fin
ger-post flashed across the young lady's
mind. but after a moments reflection
she acquitted Captain Dawson of the
meanness which any alteration in his
opinion of her, OH account Of her meet
ing with Brian Purcell, would involve.
Another reason for Captain Dawson 8
conduct occurred to her, which, while
it raised him in her estimation, made
her look grave. 4 report had gone
about latterly that MIR. Oliver Grindem
intended to marry one OF his wives.
Could it be that there was foundation
for such report? and that Captain
Dawson's altered manner toward her
was owing to this threatened alteration
in his fortunes? There was no use try
ing to unravel the mystery, SO she only
said, with 2 smile;
Meanwhile, I'm not going to lose the
hunt
Quite right, my DEAR said Miss
Gri.ldem. The stables are quite full,
The marquis's horses came last night,
and you have no idea Of the numbers
that are arriving all the morning. The
gentlemen are most anxious to keep up
the credit of the county. George and
Tom King are to lead his lordship; and
If the fox makes Tor Trllamore-and
ne is the old fox that always does-when
he fnds:all the earth closed, he'll most
likely break away through Ballyowen
for Killshanna, and if he does, George
says they'll give the marquis enough of
it; though I'm told there's nothing too
big or too ugly for him. Tho evangeh-
cal Old lady spoke with an enthusiasm
which rather astonished Mrs. Evans, to
whom, indeed, her words we're not
quite intelligihle.
AS Miss Evans reined in hes restiye
horse on the lawn, aud whipped him
till he plunged again, while the brown
ringlets foatad On the breeze, and the
ivory neck rose gracefully from the
rounded bust, which the closely fitting
riding-ilress displayed to great advan-
tage, the evangelical old lady thought
that il anything could put Canada out
of Georges head that would.
Miss Evans did not take the direct
road ito Grindem Hall, She seemed to
prefer the more circuiGous way by the
mountain foot. AS she passed the Fin
ger-post, her servant rode up, saying,ats
he caught up the bride which fell
loosely upon her horse's neck: Take
care, miss; keep tight rein down the
hill.' She started, and with something
like scoruful smile at his forgetful-
ness, gathered up the reins and guided
her horse carefully down the rough
road. After passing the corner of the
wood the little white house which Con-
nor Shea would not have changed for a
palace attracted her attention. She
pulled up her horse and gazed round
her with look of weariness.
What is coming over me!' she
thought, resting her face upon both
hands. The servant, supposing that
she felt unwell, dismounted and stood
by her horses head. But she men
Toned him back, and rode on quickly
till the white house was passed and left
Far behind. What Miss Eyans felt
coming over her. was an almost mex
pressible longing to fling herself into
the arms Of Sally Cavanagh, and ask
her to talk to her as she used to talk to
her long ago; for she was tired and sick
Of the things which at distance ap-
peared 80 dazzlingly attractive, but
which experience had proved to be cold
and hollow. How unlike the disinter-
2sted affection Of the warm-hearted
peasant girl and the true love Of Brian
Purcell!
And Miss Evans, amazed at her own
weakness, wondered what was coming !
over her. But have we not all our
of weakness? After quick
glance round the lawn at Grinden1 Hall.
Miss Evans is herself again. Miss
Evans can see as much with one quick
glance as it would take ordinary people
ives to see. There is the marquis
very fine man. but that's all. Captain
Dawson rides by his side, pointing out
some object in the distance (the fox
covers, Of course; his lordship is not
likely to feel interested in anything
,lse.) Captain Dawson converses with
;he marquis in very natural way 1--WE
IRE recording what Miss Evans saw
md thought,) which makes him con.
;rast favorably with the group OF
,quires, old and young, by whom they
pass, as they ride leisurely from place